Objective:To study the inhibitive effect of SQ on HcaF 16 A 3 cells in vivo.Methods:SQ was given to BALB/C mice after bearng tumors for 10 consecutive days.The therapeutic effect was determined by measurement to tumor weight?immunological function and morphological changes.Flowcytometry and electronic microscope were used to evaluate the distribution of cell cycle.Results:The inhibition rate was 65.68%,NK/M? activities and cytokine production were enhanced by SQ,cell cycle was stopped at the S phase.Necrosis could be seen nuder microscope and characteristic apoptotic body could be seen under electronic microscope.Conclusion:SQ had a significant anti tumor effect by regulate immune system and inhibit tumor cell proliferation.

Objective To assess the relationships among the autologous serum-induced skin wheal-andflare reaction,ex vivo serum-induced basophil histamine release, and serum levels of IgG anti-FcεRI autoantibodies in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).Methods Sixty patients with CIU collected from the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were recruited for this study.Sera were obtained from the subjects,and ASST was performed in all of the subjects.The results of ASST were determined according to a recommended criterion described by Sabroe et al,and the positive results were further subclassified into wheal plus flare (W+F) pattern and wheal-only (W) pattern,negative results into flare-only (F) pattern and no response pattern.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify the content of histamine released by autologous serum-induced basophils and serum levels of IgG anti-FcεRI autoantibodies.Results Of the 60 patients,19 (31.7％)were positive for ASST,including 16 (84.2％) presenting W+F pattern and 3 presenting W pattern; 41 were negative for ASST,including 3 (7.3％) giving F pattern and 38 giving no response pattern.The histamine release rate was significantly higher in ASST-positive patients than in ASST-negative patients (33.38％ ± 9.83％ vs.4.06％ ±1.44％,t =5.13,P＜ 0.01),and was nearly twice as high as that in basophils induced by 10 μmol/L formylmethionyleucylphenylalanine (Fmlp).The serum levels of IgG anti-FcεRI autoantibodies were high in only patients giving (W+F) pattern (757.64 ± 168.99 ng/L),but low in the normal human controls (43.25 ± 16.63 ng/L).Conclusions The positive ASST result of wheal plus flare pattern is associated with high serum levels of IgG anti-FcεRI autoantibodies,and is suggestive of a clinical diagnosis of autoimmune chronic urticaria (ACU).

Objective To investigate the protective effect of theaflavins on thymus injury caused by total body irradiation (TBI).Methods Twenty-five C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups:control group,4 Gy TBI group,4 Gy TBI + 25 mg/kg theaflavins group,4 Gy TBI + 50 mg/kg theaflavins group and 4 Gy TBI + 100 mg/kg theaflavins group.Thymus index and total number of thymocytes were detected at the 14th d post-irradiation to determine the optimal dose of theaflavins.According to this optimal dose,32 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group,theaflavins group,4 Gy TBI group and 4 Gy TBI + theaflavins group.Thymus histomorphology,CD4CD8 T cell subsets,and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in thymocytes were examined at the 14th d post-irradiation.Results The irradiated thymus exhibited decreased thymus index and total number of thymocytes (P ＜ 0.05),aberrant histomorphology and T cell subsets (P ＜ 0.05),and increased ROS level in thymocytes (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with 4 Gy TBI group,the thymus index and total number of thymocytes were significantly increased in 4 Gy TBI + 50 mg/kg theaflavins group (P ＜ 0.05).The total number of thymocytes was significantly higher in 4 Gy TBI + 50 mg/kg theaflavins group than that in 4 Gy TBI + 25 mg/kg theaflavins group (P ＜ 0.05).Therefore,50 mg/kg theaflavins was chosen as the optimal dose for subsequent experiments.Moreover,the aberrant histomorphology of irradiated thymus was alleviated by theaflavins.A decline in the percentage of CD4-CD8-T cells and an elevation of CD4+CD8-and CD4+CD8+ T cells were found in irradiated mice administered with theaflavins (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with 4 Gy TBI group,the ROS level was significantly decreased in 4 Gy TBI + theaflavins group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Theaflavins exhibits a protective effect on radiation-induced thymus injury.

Objective To observe the protective effect of anthocyanin on irradiation induced bone marrow c-kit positive cell injury, and further explore its possible mechanism. Methods Mouse bone marrow c-kit positive cells were collected by cell sorting method. There were 2 groups: control group and anthocyanin group, which were sub-divided into three groups and received 0 Gy, 1 Gy and 4 Gy irradiation respectively. The control group was added 700μL cell suspension and an equal volume of serum-free hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell culture medium. The 2 × 10-5 mol/L anthocyanin was co-cultured with mouse bone marrow c-kit positive cells of anthocyanin group half an hour before irradiation exposure, then cells were cultured for 18 hours under the conventional culture conditions (37℃,5%CO2). Mouse c-kit positive cell viability was measured by bioluminescence, and which was reflected by relative light units (RLU). The ability of colony-forming units was reflected by CFU-GM. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) ofγ-H2AX were detected by flow cytometry. Results Compared to un-irradiated control group, the cell viability and the number of CFU-GM were decreased significantly, while the ROS level and MFI ofγ-H2AX were increased in c-kit positive cells irradiated with 1 Gy and 4 Gy (P<0.05). Compared to 1 Gy and 4 Gy irradiation groups, c-kit positive cell viability and the number of CFU-GM were increased, the ROS level and MFI of γ-H2AX were decreased in anthocyanin group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Anthocyanin exhibits a promising protective effect on radiation-induced bone marrow c-kit positive cell injury, which may be related to the alleviating ROS and DNA damage in bone marrow cells.

With the rapid development of biotechnology such as NGS and proteomics , bioinformatics has seen an explo-sion in diversity and complexity in terms of data , tools and demands .The traditional computing environment , including ded-icated workstations and virtual machines , are no longer suitable under such circumstances .As a rising container technolo-gy, Docker, which is characterized by light weight , openness and security ,has provided an innovative solution to analysis and processing of biological big data and attracted increasing attention from bioinformatics developers and users .Consider-ing the demands and features of development , deployment and application of bioinformatics tools in the age of big data , this paper analyzes the advantages of Docker in this field , introduces some actual cases and discusses current deficiencies and future improvement .

Objective To investigate the protective effect of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on radiation-induced hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) injury.Methods Totally 32 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups with 8 mice in each group,including control,HRW,radiation and radiation + HRW.Mice in HRW and radiation + HRW groups received 0.5 ml hydrogen-rich water per day by intragastric administration 5 min before irradiation until 7 d post-irradiation.Mice in other groups received 0.5 ml distilled water.Mice in radiation and radiation + HRW group were irradiated with 2 Gy of total body irradiation.Bone marrow cells were isolated at 15 d post-irradiation,and LSK cells were examined for the percentage of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells,the ability of colony formation and reconstitution,reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and cell apoptosis.Results Compared with radiation group,the percentages of hematopoietic progenitor cells and LSK cells,colony number of bone marrow cells were significantly increased in radiation + HRW group (t =-4.935,-7.898,5.488,P ＜ 0.05).An elevation of donor chimerism was also found in recipient mice administered HRW after competitive bone marrow transplantation (t =-12.769,P ＜ 0.05).Compared with radiation group,the ROS levels and cell apoptosis in LSK cells were significantly decreased (t =4.380,3.954,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Hydrogen-rich water exhibited a protective effect on radiation-induced HSPCs injury.

Osteonecrosis is the most common disorder in femoral head and scaphoid. However, avascular necrosis (AVN) in metacarpal head is a rare disease. In the present study, a 14-year-old male patient complained of right-hand pain with a limited range of motion for one month. Physical examination showed that the active flexion was 70° and the extension was limited to 30° of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. The grip strength decreased to 60% of the contralateral hand. X-rays demonstrated flattening and sclerotic changes in the long finger and ring finger of metacarpal head. CT scanning indicated cystic, osteochondral defects and sclerotic changes in metacarpal head. Imaging examination further confirmed the diagnosis of AVN in the long metacarpal finger and ring finger. After conservative treatments including splint immobilization, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physiotherapy, the local pain symptoms of the MCP joint gradually disappeared. The range of motion of MCP joint returned to normal with the grip strength score as 105% of the contralateral hand. MRI confirmed excellent remodeling and regeneration in the metacarpal head at two years later. The clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatments of AVN of metacarpal head were reviewed. Although radiograph examination is commonly used, early-stage osteonecrosis of the metacarpal head should be confirmed by MRI. Given the rarity of this disorder, there is no consensus on the treatments. Metacarpal necrosis is the more common disorder in adolescent patients with a history of trauma. Considering the potential of bone remodeling, juveniles with metacarpal head necrosis could recover by conservative treatments.

ObjectiveWith a GcneChip(R) cxpression analysis,98 known gencs and 31 exprcssed sequence tags (ESTs) were found to be differentially expressed between KK/Ta and BALB/c kidneys.To further screen the susceptibility genes for diabetic nephropathy,the temporal and spatial expression patterns of differentially expressed gene-adipsin were investigated.MethodsThe body weight,blood glucose,urinary albumin/creatinine ratio,and renal pathological changes of KK/Ta and BALB/c mice were measured at the 7,20,28 and 36 weeks of age.Total RNA was extracted from the kidney,heart,liver,lung,and brain.The temporal and spatial expression patterns of adipsin in diabetic KK/Ta mice were examined by competitive RT-PCR.The correlation analysis between adipsin expression and albuminuria level was carried out.ResultsThe mRNA expression of adipsin was found in the kidney,heart,lung,and brain,but not in liver.The expression of adipsin in diabetic KK/Ta mice at 20 weeks of age was significantly down-regulated in kidney,heart,and lung than that in age-matched BALB/c mice,and unaltered in brain.Adipsin expression in KK/Ta kidneys was significantly down-regulated with aging and negatively correlated to urinary albumin/creatinine ratio( r =-0.807,P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionsThe expression of adipsin mRNA was downregulated in kidney,heart,and lung in diabetic state.Adipsin expression in KK/Ta kidneys was negatively correlated to urinary albumin/creatinine ratio.It might be a candidate gene for diabetic nephropathy.

ObjectiveTo develop an antibody-array system for multiple detection of antibodies against Japanese B encephalitis virus (JEV),Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBV),Dengue virus ( DENV ),West Nile virus (WNV),Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) and East Equine encephalitis virus (EEEV).MethodsRecombined antigens were spotted on array as capture antigens.Specific antibodies were detected by using a sandwich ELISA format.Rabbit antiserum was employed to select and confirm the specificity of antigens and to optimize the conditions of the assay.The detection efficiency of the system was validated by 40 clinical suspected serum samples and compared with the relative ELISA assays.ResultsEleven recombined antigens were selected as diagnostic antigens with high specificity.Better detection could be achieved when scale of antigen concentrations were within 0.125-0.900 mg/ml and the serum dilutions were 1:100-1:1000.When detecting the 26 clinical suspected TBE serum samples,20 were IgG positive (76.9％),and 17 were IgM positive (65.3％) which was 96.1％ and 84.6％ consistent with the relevant ELLSA tests,the 8 clinical suspected JEV serum samples,4 were IgG positive (50.0％),and 5 were IgM positive (62.0％),which was 86.3％ and 90.1％ consistent with the relevant ELLSA tests.As for the 22 DEN serum samples,13 were IgG positive (60％) and 15 were IgM positive (68％) which was 85％ and 93％ consistent with ELISA.The specificity of the assay was 100％ and the sensitivity was higher than the relative ELISAs.ConclusionThe developed antibody-array is highly specific and reliable,which could be used for the detection of antibodies against the 6 arboviruses.

Objective To investigate the value of nerve conduction studies (NCSs),F wave analysis,somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and skin sympathetic response (SSR) in the early diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).Methods A total of 110 patients with diabetes mellitus were recruited as the diabetic group and another 50 well-matched healthy volunteers as the normal controls.Sensory and motor NCSs of the median,ulnar,posterior tibial and common peroneal nerves were performed.F waves were recorded from the median and posterior tibial nerves.SEPs elicited by stimulation to nerves of both the upper and lower limbs as well as SSRs were measured,all in both the diabetic group and the normal controls.Results The total rate of nerve conduction abnormality was 74.5％ in the diabetic group,with sensory nerve conduction abnormalities more frequent and more severe among motor nerves in the extremities.The total rate of F wave abnormalities was 57.3％ in the diabetic group.The rate in patients with normal distal motor conduction in their median and posterior tibial nerves was 50.7％.The total SEP abnormality rate was 70.0％ with regard to the proximal peripheral nerve potentials in the diabetic group,but there was no obvious abnormality of the supraclavicular electrical potential in the upper limbs for those with normal sensory nerve conduction in the median nerve.The rate of occurrence of abnormality in the gluteus point potential in the lower limbs of those with normal posterior tibial sensory conduction was 62.5％.The total rate of SSR abnormalities was 80.0％ in the diabetic group but 72％ among those with normal nerve conduction in their extremities.Combining the NCS,SSR,SEP and F wave results,the total abnormality rate was 90.9％ in the diabetic group,which was much higher than with any single test used alone.Conclusion NCS is essential for diagnosing DPN.Early diagnosis of subclinical diabetic neuropathy will be significantly enhanced when nerve conduction,SSRs,SEPs and F waves are tested together.